Prayer is a Gift of God
Prayer is a gift from God.  And God gives that gift generously, without consideration of our worthiness or our unworthiness. Sinners as well as saints can pray. People of every religious tradition receive the gift.   Prayer, then, is God's gift to the strong and the weak, to the smallest child and frailest of the old.  It's given to everyone, no matter who you are.

God gives the gift of prayer because of His love for us. At the same time, by praying we fulfill the desire we have as human beings to know God.  "Our hearts are restless," St. Augustine says, "until they rest in you." By praying, we rest in God.
                                                              PRAYERS



 
             The Lord's Prayer

            Our Father, who art in heaven,
            hallowed be thy name,
            Thy kingdom come,
            Thy will be done,
            on earth as it is in heaven.

            Give us this day our daily bread,
            and forgive us our trespasses
            as we forgive those
            who trespass against us,
            and lead us not into temptation,
            but deliver us from evil.

            Amen.

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                      Nicene Creed

            We believe in one God, the Father,
            the Almighty, maker of heaven and
            earth of all that is seen and unseen.
            We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
            the only Son of God, eternally begotten
            of the Father, God from God, Light
            from Light, true God from true God,
            begotten, not made, one in Being
            with the Father. Through him all things
            were made. For us men and our
            salvation he came down from heaven:
            by the power of the Holy Spirit he was
            born of the Virgin Mary, and became
            man. For our sake he was crucified
            under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died,
            and was buried. On the third day he
            rose again in fulfillment of the
            Scriptures; he ascended into heaven
            and is seated at the right hand of the
            Father. He will come again to judge
            the living and the dead, and his
            kingdom will have no end. We
            believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
            the giver of life, who proceeds from
            the Father and the Son. With the
            Father and the Son he is worshipped
            and glorified. He has spoken through
            the Prophets. We believe in one holy
            catholic and apostolic Church. We
            acknowledge one baptism for the
            forgiveness of sins. We look for the
            resurrection of the dead, and the life
            of the world to come.

                Amen.

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                The Hail Mary

            Hail Mary, full of grace,
            the Lord is with thee;
            blessed art thou among women,
            and blessed is the fruit
            of thy womb, Jesus.

            Holy Mary, Mother of God,
            pray for us sinners now
            and at the hour of our death.

            Amen.

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            The Apostle's Creed

            I believe in God, the Father
            almighty, creator of heaven
            and earth.

            I believe in Jesus Christ, his only
            Son, our Lord. He was conceived
            by the power of the Holy Spirit
            and born of the Virgin Mary.
            He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
            was crucified, died, and
            was buried.
            He descended to the dead.
            On the third day he rose again.
            He ascended into heaven,
            and is seated and the right hand
            of the Father.
            He will come again to judge
            the living and the dead.

            I believe in the Holy Spirit,
            the holy Catholic Church,
            the communion of saints,
            the forgiveness of sins,
            the resurrection of the body,
            and the life everlasting.

            Amen.

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             The Beatitudes

                1. Blessed are the poor in spirit:
                    the reign of God is theirs.
                2. Blessed are the sorrowing:
                    they shall be consoled.
                3. Blessed are the lowly:
                    they shall inherit the land.
                4. Blessed are they who hunger
                    and thirst for holiness:
                    they shall have their fill.
                5. Blessed are they who show
                    mercy: mercy shall be theirs.
                6. Blessed are the single-hearted:
                    for they shall see God.
                7. Blessed are the peacemakers:
                    they shall be called sons of God.
                8. Blessed are those persecuted
                    for holiness' sake: the reign of
                    God is theirs.

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             Grace Before Meals

            Bless us, O Lord, and these thy
            gifts which we are about to
            receive from thy bounty through
            Christ our Lord.

            Amen.

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                                                    Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across  the sky flashed scenes of his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.   But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints; I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

                    Healing Prayer

            Lord Jesus, through the power
            of the Holy Spirit, go back into
            my memory as I sleep.

            Every hurt that has ever been
            done to me, heal that hurt.

            Every hurt that I have ever
            caused another person, heal that
            hurt.

            All the relationships that have
            been damaged in my whole life
            that I am not aware of , heal
            those relationships.

            But, O Lord, if there is anything
            that I need to do,

            If I need to go to a person because
            he or she is still suffering from my
            hand, bring to my awareness that
            person. I choose to forgive, and I
            ask to be forgiven.

            Remove whatever bitterness may
            be in my heart, Lord, and fill the
            empty spaces with your love.

            Amen.

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                     Family Prayer

            God made us a family.
            We need one another.
            We love one another.
            We forgive one another.
            We work together.
            We play together.
            We worship together.
            Together we use God's word.
            Together we grow in Christ.
            Together we love all people.
            Together we serve our God.
            Together we hope for heaven.
            These are our hopes and ideals.
            Help us to attain them,
            O God, through Jesus Christ our 
                 Lord.

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               The Works of Mercy

            The Corporal Works of Mercy
                 To feed the hungry
                To give drink to the thirsty.
                To clothe the naked.
                To visit and ransom the captives.
                To shelter the homeless.
                To visit the sick.
                To bury the dead.

            The Spiritual Works of Mercy
                To admonish sinners.
                To instruct the ignorant.
                To counsel the doubtful.
                To comfort the sorrowful.
                To bear wrongs patiently.
                To forgive all injuries.
                To pray for the living and the dead.

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Guardian Angel Prayer

            Angel of God, My Guardian Dear
            to whom God's love commits me here.

            Ever this day be at my side
            to light and guard and rule and guide.

            Amen.

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The Legend of the Sand Dollar

            It is said that Christ left the sand dollar
            as a symbol to help the evangelists
            teach the faith. The five holes
            commemorate the five wounds of
            Christ, while at the center on one side
            blooms the Easter lily, and at the lily's
            heart the star of Bethlehem.
            The Christmas poinsettia is etched on
            the other side, a reminder of Christ's
            birth. According to this legend, if
            you break the center five white
            doves will be released to spread good
            will and peace.

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                23rd Psalm

            The Lord is my Shepherd;
            I shall not want.

            In verdant pastures He gives
            me repose;

            Before restful waters He leads
            me; He refreshes my soul.

            He guides me in right paths for
            His name's sake.

            Even though I walk in the dark
            valley I fear no evil;

            for you are at my side, with your
            rod and your staff that give me
            courage.

            You spread a table for me in the
            sight of my foes; you anoint my
            head with oil; my cup overflows.

            Only goodness and kindness
            follow me all the days of my life;
            And I shall dwell in the house of
            the Lord for years to come.

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              Peace Prayer 
                           of    
               St. Francis of Assisi

    Lord, make me an instrument of your        
    peace;
     Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
     When there is injury, pardon;
     Where there is doubt, faith;
     Where there is despair, hope;
     Where there is darkness, light;
     Where there is sadness, joy.
    
     Grant that I may not so much seek
     To be consoled as to console;
     To be understood, as to understand,
     To be loved as to love;
     For it is in giving that we receive,
     It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
     It is in dying that we are born to 
      eternal life.

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              Cross in My Pocket

            I carry a cross in my pocket
            A simple reminder to me
            Of the fact that I am a Christian
            No matter where I may be.

            This little cross is not magic
            Nor is it a good luck charm.
            It isn't meant to protect me.
            From every physical harm.

            It's not for identification
            For all the world to see.
            It's simply an understanding
            Between my Savior and me.

            When I put my hand in my pocket
            To bring out a coin or key.
            The cross is there to remind me
            Of the price he paid for me.

            It reminds me, too, to be thankful
            For my blessings day by day
            And strive to serve him better
            In all that I do and say.

            It's also a daily reminder
            Of the peace and comfort I share
            With all who know my master
            And give themselves to his care.

            So, I carry a cross in my pocket
            Reminding no one but me
            That Jesus Christ is Lord of my 
             life
            

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St. Ailbe Catholic Church - 9015 South Harper - Chicago Il  60619
                     
      Wheelchair Accessible
                                                     

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"Be Still and know that I am God" written by Frederick Young